Frankfort teen headed to Washington to support his proposed law restricting military funeral protests

High school student Zach Parker presents his legislation on banning protests at military funerals to a crowd of hundreds who packed the Searsport District Middle School gym on Wednesday, January 5, 2011. Parker's proposal won him some national attention, with an appearance on the "Fox & Friends" morning program.

Snowe and 13 bipartisan co-sponsors introduced the SERVE Act in February. If passed, the legislation would set penalties for those whose conduct at military funeral services “exceeds the protections of the First Amendment,” the senator wrote in an op-ed published Saturday.

“Without undermining sacrosanct First Amendment rights, the SERVE Act ensures families have the opportunity to say goodbye to their loved one in peace,” she wrote. “I also want to express my sincere appreciation to a young man in Maine, Zach Parker, the Searsport District High School senior whose commitment to the cause of protecting military funerals from disruption has served as ongoing and great inspiration to me and many others.”

Parker, whose months-long quest to bring attention to the need to protect military funerals, said Friday that he is looking for help as he raises money to attend the June 8 Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing.

“This could very well impact everyone in America,” the Frankfort teen wrote in an email. “By influencing the Veterans’ Affairs Committee to present this bill, this would allow an immediate admittance to the Senate floor for the big vote!”

Ken Lundberg, Snowe’s spokesperson, said Friday that Parker has been invited to come to the Capitol to watch the process.

“Given the inspiration he’s provided, the senator would love to have him in the room,” he said.